Christos Nikolis challenges Suffield children to ride for the Jimmy Fund on May 12

Submitted photoOn May 12, three-time Pan-Massachusetts Challenge cyclist Christos Nikolis will host the inaugural PMC Suffield Kids ride at McAlister Intermediate School. With him are his children, from left, Ariana, James and Maggie Nikolis.

Nikolis, who will participate in this summer’s Pan-Massachusetts Challenge bike ride for the fourth time, is organizing the PMC Suffield Kids Ride to be held on May 12 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at McAlister Intermediate School.

Nikolis, who works for the American Hockey League in Springfield, was motivated to participate in the PMC after losing friends and relatives to cancer.

“I lost my grandfather at a young age,” Nikolis said. “Way too many people have been taken from us by cancer. That’s why I ride the big event.”

The father of three young children decided kids ought to get involved in the cause. The Suffield Kids Ride will be one of 35 PMC Kids Rides held in neighborhoods throughout New England. It is the first Kids Ride to be held in Connecticut.

The regular challenge is a two-day, 190-mile bike-a-thon held each August to benefit the Jimmy Fund.

“I love the event, and I’m proud to be a part of it,” Nikolis said. “This is another way to be able to contribute. Everyone living in New England knows the Jimmy Fund and the great work they do.”

The Suffield Kids Ride is open to riders ages 3 to 15, on tricycles, “big wheels” and two-wheelers. There will be two ride routes set up - a smaller parking lot-enclosed route for the younger kids, and a five-mile loop that travels along nearby Hill Street for the older riders.

“They can ride (the loop) once or twice; the ride lasts for an hour,” Nikolis said. “There are a couple of water stops. It will all be well-staffed. There will be adults on bikes helping out, and the road will be closed except for local traffic.”

Nikolis said even those who haven’t lost a loved one to cancer have been affected in some way. He said he’s glad to have the event in town.

“We love living in Suffield, and it’s another way to bring a great event to Suffield,” he said. “It’s getting families involved in a fun day, and they’re getting some exercise.”

And, he said, teaching children about charitable giving at a young age is important, too.

“It’s about the importance of taking some time to commit to other people and to give back,” Nikolis said. “It’s what we’re trying to do with our family, and we hope some of that rubs off and we’re able to give a solid donation to the Jimmy Fund.”

Nikolis has raised more than $23,000 on his own for the Pan Massachusetts Challenge. Since 1980, the challenge has raised $338 million for the Jimmy Fund.

The Suffield Kids Ride, which is sponsored by the First National Bank of Suffield, will recognize participants who raise $250 or more as “Heavy Hitters.” The ride will be followed by live music, face painting, Shriners clowns and refreshments. All riders will receive a gift bag which will include a PMC T-shirt and a water bottle.

The registration fee for the kids ride is $15, and there is a suggested fund-raising minimum of $50 per rider. To register or make a donation, visit http://kids.pmc.org